This contract involved passing around two tonnes of 11/4in steel through the machine.

‘The M32 was installed within four days in the machine shop, which involved quite a lot of work by the Citizen Machinery team due to the high specification we had ordered,’ said John Cable, managing director, C and M.

‘It was then set up for the job and from pressing the start button, it ran continuously day and night including unmanned operation through the first and every other night,’ he added.

Cable and his team had already installed two M32-V machines over the past two years following earlier purchases of smaller capacity Citizen M16 and M12s.

The decision to add the third M32 was based on new orders.

‘We had a rising order book for up to 32mm components involving complicated milling operations that we could complete in single machining cycles and for which the machine is ideal,’ said Cable.

Cable also said that his setters are very familiar with Citizen’s M-series machines and they always specify options to ensure that maximum productivity and machine utilisation can be achieved.

‘This means we are able to be very competitive, maintain delivery promises and achieve the level of quality that is very consistent due to the repeatability of the machine,’ he added.

‘If you plan to run unmanned then you need confidence the machine will repeat its cycle,’ said Cable.

The hydraulic connector component required 10 tools to complete the part but it was the added flexibility of the two Y-axis cross feeds on the machine that made the job cost effective by allowing the single production cycle to drill off-centre holes in the side of the component.

As well as turning, drilling, boring, grooving and threading, each component had to be roll marked with a code number.

The Citizen M32-V is able to carry up to 80 tools, 20 of which can be driven.

It is able to cut with three tools simultaneously at the main and subspindle – a feature that can contribute to reduced cycle times.

Citizen Machinery

Citizen is the world leader in CNC sliding head ‘one-hit’ turn-milling technology. It has a range of machines having a maximum bar capacity between 4 mm on the compact micro-machining capable Citizen R04 to 32 mm on the top of the range Citizen M32-VII which has the added capability of two Y-axis cross-feeds.

The M32 can carry up to 80 tools, of which 20 can be driven, and can cut with three tools simultaneously giving low cycle times and high levels of productivity. Also, fully automated unmanned cycles can be utilised through an integrated gantry option and conveyor system that helps ensure damage free parts during uninterrupted batch production. A high pressure 2,000 psi CoolBlaster coolant system is a further option to optimise swarf control, tool life and machining difficult materials.

Following the acquisition in Japan in 2008 of 65 per cent shares in Miyano, the fixed head turning centre specialist, the two companies are maintaining their separate high profile brand names utilising a single sales operation. However, turn-milling solutions from bar up to 64 mm diameter can now be provided. In addition, with the Miyano range of turning and turn-milling machines for chucking operations, cell-type applications can now be accommodated with a wide range of automation options.